Brandon Aiyuk to NY Giants and 4 Other Landing Spots Following New 49ers Breakup Rumors
Despite agreeing to a huge new long-term contract a year ago, a new report claims Brandon Aiyuk’s days with the San Francisco 49ers will come to an end following the 2025 NFL season.
In the spring and summer of 2024, trading Aiyuk out of San Francisco was looking like a real possibility. However, cooler heads eventually prevailed, and the talented wide receiver got the four-year, $120 million contract he coveted. Unfortunately, he did not get to make the most out of year one in the deal after suffering an ACL and MCL tear a few weeks into the season.
Heading into this year, the hope was that Aiyuk would be back in uniform by midseason. Well, it’s Week 12, and he doesn’t seem close to a return. The reason has nothing to do with his surgically repaired knee and is another breakdown in the relationship between the WR and the 49ers, according to The Athletic.
Aiyuk allegedly has not met his team obligations this season, and they voided the guaranteed money on his deal. Meaning, a release after the season is expected. So, where could the gifted receiver land in 2026 following his major knee injury? We look at five potential options.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills reportedly tried to trade for stud Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle before the trade deadline. That, along with their recent struggles on offense, proves they badly need a true WR1. Assuming Aiyuk can return to the player he was in 2023, he would be a huge addition and finally give Josh Allen the proven go-to target he’s missed since Stefon Diggs left.
Cleveland Browns
It is unclear who will be the Cleveland Browns‘ starting QB in 2026. It could be Deshaun Watson. One of the two rookies they drafted this year, or another first-time QB that they select in April. Either way, they need more impact targets to throw to. Cleveland was one of the teams that made a strong push for Aiyuk a year ago, and it makes sense that they will again when he hits free agency.
New York Giants
The New York Giants were reportedly another team that looked into trading for Waddle before the deadline. It was a desperate attempt to try and salvage their season after losing Malik Nabers for the season. Nevertheless, they are surely going forward with Jaxson Dart as their starting long-term and he needs all the help he can get. While there is risk in going with two WRs coming off major knee injuries, when healthy, the pair could be one of the best receiver duos in the NFC.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have turned into a sleeper team in the AFC this season due to their outstanding defense. But would anyone be surprised if they come up short in the playoffs because of the failings of their offense? CJ Stroud really needs better weapons in the passing game. Targeting Aiyuk in free agency seems very likely in the offseason for Houston.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are shockingly in the chase for a playoff spot late in the 2025 NFL season. A major reason why is a bit of luck and some outstanding play from running back Rico Dowdle. If they still plan to go forward with Bryce Young as their QB, they should take a hard look at signing Brandon Aiyuk. The combo of him and young receiver Tetairoa McMillan could be a big problem for a lot of defenses in the NFC.
Jaelan Phillips is 2 games into his Eagles tenure and is already facing pressure
While the stakes are high for the Philadelphia Eagles franchise, for their newly acquired trade piece, the backend of the season might mean a bit more.
CBS Sports writer Jared Dubin examined some players in the NFL who are facing the most pressure in the second half of the season. Dubin mentioned Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips as one who is looking to deliver on the pressure ahead of him.
"Phillips is already excelling for the Eagles and has the potential to earn himself a ton of money by continuing to play at that level for the next several weeks and into the playoffs. He has occasionally been an electric edge rusher throughout his career and again looks like that right now, but injury issues have plagued him going all the way back to college and it might be viewed as a significant risk to give him a long-term, big-money deal. If he plays well enough, though, teams could be willing to overlook that history."
Phillips must remove the durability narrative and show he can be a star in the NFL
After joining the Eagles during this year's trade deadline, Phillips was set to play out the final half of the season on his fifth-year option of his rookie deal. So far through two games, he's delivering as expected and as needed for Philadelphia.
The 2021 first-round pick has dealt with a slew of injuries over the last two seasons, limiting his ability to showcase his production. His 2023 season (ironically, where he was working with Vic Fangio in Miami) was on pace to be a 15-sack season.
Now healthy, it's up to Phillips to deliver during the final seven games of the 2025 season. Phillips has the potential to earn himself a ton of money if he continues his bounce-back with the Eagles, especially if he carries his play into Philadelphia's playoff run. Phillips, in two games with Philadelphia, has totaled 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery, and four quarterback hits so far.
Phillips has been an electric EDGE rusher throughout his career, and when healthy, could be one of the more dynamic players at the position. However, between an Achilles injury in 2023 and a knee injury in 2024, along with injuries he suffered in college (which led to a brief retirement), Phillips may not be able to "cash out" on his next contract.
While history always plays a role in contract negotiation, NFL executives can also be blind to such issues and fall back on the mentality of "what have you done for me recently". It's unclear whether Phillips can keep up his torrid pace in the NFC East, and if he does, the NFL (specifically the Eagles) will look past his injury history.
